Safety car shouldn't have been on track

The FIA confirms the safety car that collided with Franz Engstler at Pau had not been given the green light to drive onto the circuit.

The FIA has revealed the safety car that collided with Franz Engstler in the latest round of the World Touring Car Championship at Pau was not given the authority to enter the circuit.

Engstler, who was leading at the end of the opening lap around the French street circuit, was caught out in extraordinary circumstances when the safety car emerged in front of him at slow speed, the impact causing significant damage to both machines.

Following investigations by the FIA Race Director, it was confirmed that while the alert was given to marshals to wave yellow flags and show the SC boards, the safety car driver was not given the go-ahead to drive onto the circuit, let alone cross straight into the centre of the track

For Engstler's part, telemetry shows he did slow down significantly as he entered the opening corner and the FIA was satisfied he could have done nothing to avoid the safety car ahead of him.

The Stewards, taking into account the gravity of the facts, decided to forward their report to the FFSA (French sporting authority), recommending to take appropriate sanctions against Philippe Cholet and Jean-Pierre Colas who were in charge for the safety car and any other responsible official